Resonator.



H. P. TIFFNER.

RESONATOR.

APPMGATION FILED 111111.16, 1911.

K1,127,326. Patented Feb.2,191.

2 SHEETSuSHEBT l.

H. P. TIFFNER.

RESONATOR. APPLICATION FILED 111111.16, 1911.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

, HARRY P. TIEFNER, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RESONATOR.

T0 all u-zom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY P. 'IIFFNER, a citizen of the United States, residing. at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Resonators, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to a device adapted for use with certain musical instruments to improve or control the volume or quality of the musical tones produced by the instrument.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple, eiiicient and reliable device of the kind described, especially applicable to Xylophones, gongs, bells and similar instruments whereby the operator may produce' any desired volume or quality of tone desired within the capacity of the instrument.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combinaticn of parts herein shown and de scribed and more particularly pointed out in' the claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like or similar reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a plan View of a Xylophone equipped with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.v Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 2'. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of the lower portionof the resonators shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 4 but showing slightly modified forms of my device. Fig. 7 is an, enlarged sectional detail of the head portion and associated parts of a resonator of my device.

In the drawings merely Afor the purpose of illustration my improved resonator is shown as forming a' part of a Xylophone in which 1 is the table or upper `frame of the instrument supported on suitable legs or other' convenient means 2-2. The bars'V 3,-3 for producing the musical tones are shown supported at each end upon the4 frame l with a pad or washer' 4 of felt or other resilient material positioned between the bar and frame adapted to support the bar in position without musical properties. A vided at each side of the frame 1. Each pin extends through a suitable opening near the end of the bar to prevent its longitudinal o'r lateral movement, the whole being arranged Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 16, 1911.

interfering. with its.. pm or peg 5 is pro- Patented Feb. 2, 1915. Serial No. 614,798.

and constructed in the usual or any desired manner and of any suitable material.

In the form shown, the bars are,arranged in a substantially horizontal position and each bar is provided with a resonator comprising a tube 6, positioned immediately beneath its particular bar and extending downward at substantially right angles to the bar. -The upper end of-the tube 6 is preferably positioned at a suitable distance from the underside of the bar to receive the vibration from the bar, without in any way interfering with its vibrations. In the preferred construction a conical part 7 is positioned in the lower end of each tube with suitable means connecting the tube and part 7 for adjusting its longitudinal position in^ and rigidly maintaining the part the tube in position. The joint between the part 7 and the walls of the tube 6 is preferably packed with a ring of felt or other nonresonant material so as to prevent any discord arising from the independent vibration or rattling between the tube walls and theV .part The ring packinglO also prevents the lescape of air at the lower end of the tube and increases the eliect produced by the resonator. The position of the part 7 may be adjusted in any suitable manner. As shown, a bar 8 extends across the tube with a threaded opening formed near its center atthe axis of the tube. A stem 9 is rrtatably secured to the part 7 and provided with a threaded part arranged to coperate with the threaded opening in the bar 8 so that the st em maybe engaged with the bar and by rotating the stem the part 7 may be adjusted as desired. Inthe preferred construction a cross piece 11 is provided at the top of the part 7 arranged tomaintain the stem 9 in a central position and prevent the tipping or disarrangement of the part 7 in the tube.

The several parts of my ldevice above described are shown circular in section and formed of brass or other suitable material,

but it is obvious that the several parts may be formed of wood or V any material adapted to coperate as' above described` and impervious to air, although a better result is no of producing' tute forni .several parts in position.

7 and the adjustment provided therefor' ivhereby the resonator may 'be accurately and quickly tuned and a resonator having a conical lower end prodices a slightly more satisfactory dwell or prolongation of the tone than where the end of the tube is closed` by a part positioned at substantially right angles of the tube.

The principal feature of my improved resonator however. consists in a vibratory head 14 preferably positioned across an opening near the closed end of the tube so arranged that the vibration of the bar 3 above thev tube is transmitted by the pulsations of the air in the tube to thehead-causing the same to correspondingly vibrate. thereby producing a marked mellowing effect upon the mugreatly increasing'.

sical tone produced' a'nd the volume of'thetone. In the preferred construction shown a tubular port 12 is pro vided in the Wall of thetube 6 near its closed end at substantially right vangles to the tube with the disk or head 14 extending across the c each duct and ri gidlv secured to the sha ft 22 sorthat when thevalves are closed, as shown iiniFig. 4,-a quarter turn of the shaft will port and entirely closing theend thereof.)

The head 14 may be formed ot'V any .tliin,v

flexible material, suchv for example; asv'e'ry tine gold beaters skin or extremely thina'nd'` preferably soft parchment. -I have found it desirable however,.'to secure the best results, to provide a specially prepared parchment, thinner and much more flexible than either of the substances above mentioned In the preferred construction the parch- `ment disk 14 is wholly unattachedl at its margins and merely rests loosely across the end' of the duct 12 so that the slightest pulsation of air Within the tube Will vibrate the head 14 and produce a musical tone. Any suitable means may be provided to control the position of the head 14 and protect the head when in service. In\the preferred construction I provide a disk of ne Wire gauze 17 extending across the duct 12outside of l the head 14 and the Several parts are secured p -in position by means of a ferrule or thimble 15 having a central o pening'corresponding tothe bore of the duct and with a body portion of suitable size to receive aring ofV leather, rubber or othersuitable material 16 adapted to hold the head 14 and4 disk 17 in the ferrule with the inner diameter of theiry ring of suitable size to lit upon the exte rior ofthe duct and resiliently maintainthe' -In the preferred construction suitable means are provided toimodify or Wholly prevent the vibrations of the head 14 to control theJ operation of my improvement. In the" form shown I provide a damper anda cutout; the damper consists of a pad of suitable material 18 adapted to press against the disk 17 to control or. partially prevent the vi i brations of the head. Obviouslythe force with which thej'pad 18`i's pressed against the disk 17 largely controls the operationof the"A head, although in' actual practice it is found that even when considerable pressure is put upon the disk 17 resonant action is not Wholly prevented. Any suitable means may be provided to control the operation of the pad 18; as shown, the pad is mounted at one end of a lever 19 which is in turn pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a bar `2.0. Suitable means are attached to the free plurality ofthe ducts extending centrally through each. i A valvej23 is positioned in simultaneously open the several valves to their-fullest capacity. Anv suitable means may be provided to control the movement of the shaft 22. As shown an arm 24 is rigidly secured to the shaft with its free end connected bv a link 25 to a lever 26 which is in turn nivotally mounted as at 27 upon a suitable bracket 40 or other convenient means. A rod 28 or other convenient means is attached to the free end of the lever 2.6l so that a longitudinal movement of the rod will rotate the shaftI 22 and control the position of the valves.

' The duct 12 mav be formed at anv convenient point near the closedjend of the tube. although it is believed that the nearer the duct is positioned to the end of the tube the more satisfactory the operation of inv device. In the form shown in Figs. 2. 3 and 4'the duct extends'through the wall of the' tube while in Fig. 5 the duet is formed at the anex of the part 7 and in Fig. 6 the. du'ct'pis" formed through the conical wall of the part 7y extending perpendicular to the tube. The several forms are obviously very similar and each produce verv similar results. In all cases it should be noted that the length of the tube Gor in other words the pitch of the resonator must accurately correspond with the pitch of the gong. the

-bar of the Xylophone or other instrument with which it is to coperate to secure satisfactory results. l

. Wbere'it is desired to use mv resonator upon clock gongsior in otherplaces Where the simplest form of mechanism is desired I have ,found that very satisfactorvprcsults may obtainedfb'y' forming the walls of the tube of brass or other suitably sonorous preferably consists of a .valvev 'ing across said opening,

material of suitable size to produce the desired tone when struck or otherwise vibrated. The operation of my device however remains substantially as hereinbefore described, except that the bars 3 are omitted and the initial sounds or vibrations are set up by the tube walls and provides a very simple and pleasing instrument Where chimes or a single tone is required.

'Having thus described my improvement it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in my device Without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence l do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form or construction shown.

What l claim as nevs7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A resonator comprising a tube, and means arranged to close one end of said tube, said resonator havingan opening near its closed end, iii-combination Witha vibratory head extending across said opening, and means for supporting said head in position.

:2. A resonator comprising a tube and a longitudinally movable member arranged to close one end of said tube, said resonator having an opening near its closed end, in combination with a vibratory head extending across said opening, and means for supporting said head in position.

A resonator comprising/a tube and a conical member positioned in and arranged to close one end of saidttube, said resonator hai-'ing an opening near its closed end, in combination with a vibratory .head extendand means for loosely supporting said head in position.

Si. A resonator comprising a tube, and means arranged to close one end of said tube, saidresonator havingan opening near its y closed end, in combination With a vibratory across said opening, manuprevent head extending ally operated means adapted to the vibration of said head. and means for supporting said head in position.

5. A resonator comprising a tube and means arranged to close one end of said tube, said resonator having an opening near its closedy end, in combination with a vibratory head extending across said opening, means extending across said opening adapted to control the position of Saidhead, land means for loosely supporting said head in position.

6. A resonator comprising a tube and a longitudinally movable conical member positicned in and arranged to close one end of said tube and a tubular port near said closed end, in combination with a vibratory head extending across said supporting said head in position.

resonator comprising a tube and a longitudinally movable conical member positioned in and arranged to close one end of said tube, and a tubular port near said closed end, in combination with a vibratory head extending across said port, means positioned in'said port adapted to control the position of said head, manually operated means adapted to prevent the vibration of said head, and means for supporting said head in position.

8. A resonator comprising a tube and a conical member positioned in and arranged to close one end of having an opening near its closed end, in combination With a vibratory head extending across said opening, means extending across said opening adapted to control the position of said head, and means for sup- 'porting said head in position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subseribing Witnesses.

HARRY P. TIFFNER. `Witnessesz BURTON W. liras. BLANCHE CHALMERS.

port, and means t'or` said tube, said resonator 

